Scholarships & Financial Aid
Scholarships
Earth and Soil Sciences Department scholarships are typically awarded at the Spring Banquet each year. The scholarships have monetary awards ranging from $300 to $1500 and are granted to students in the earth sciences and soil science majors for excellence in academic achievement, departmental/university/community service, and occasionally for being responsible for a screw-up.
Environmental Sustainability Award
- Awarded to an earth sciences major for academic excellence
- Minimum GPA 3.60
- No application necessary
- Selected by Earth and Soil Sciences Department faculty/staff
- 2007 recipient – Jennifer DeWinter
- 2008 recipient - Laura Alexander
- 2009 recipient - Kaysea Perry
Arnold Dean Award
- Awarded to a soil science major for academic excellence
- Minimum GPA 3.60
- Recipient must have at least 25 units remaining in the soil science major
- No application necessary
- Selected by Earth and Soil Sciences Department faculty/staff
- 2007 recipient – Ashley Devalentine
- 2008 recipients – Renee Nall and Ian Leslie
American Society of Agronomy Outstanding Senior in Soil Science Award
- Awarded to a soil science major for academic excellence and service to the department/university/community.
- Minimum GPA 3.50
- No application necessary
- Selected by Earth and Soil Sciences Department faculty/staff
- 2007 recipient – Scott Grandi-Hill
- 2008 recipient – David Guerena
- 2009 recipient - Ian Leslie
Omer and Claudia King Award
- Awarded to an earth sciences or soil science major for high academic performance
- Minimum GPA 3.00
- Application consists of student filling out a FAFSA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before003a.htm) form, which is due on March 2
- Recipient must have a financial need
- Selected by Earth and Soil Sciences Department faculty/staff
- 2007 recipient – Brooke Hamilton
- 2008 recipient – Michelle Reed
- 2009 recipient - Megan Martin
Royce Lambert Award
- Awarded to a soil science major for involvement in departmental activities and showing improvement in academic performance
- Minimum GPA 2.50
- Recipient must have either sophomore or junior standing
- Preference given to students with dependents
- Application consists of a short 2-page essay turned in to the department office by May 15 of the current year. The essay should discuss how the applicant plans to use the skills and education they have gained at Cal Poly to a career.
- Selected by Earth and Soil Sciences Department
- Download the Scholarship Description
- Download the Application
- 2007 recipient – Kelly Young
- 2008 recipient – Kristin Roberts
Thomas Ruehr Honorary Scholarship
- Awarded to an earth sciences or soil major for demonstrated volunteerism in the Earth, Soil, and Water Conservation Club or Latinos in Agriculture Club
- Minimum GPA 2.50
- No application necessary
- Selected by Earth and Soil Sciences Department
- 2007 recipient –David Guerena
- 2008 recipients – Ian Leslie, Nathan Lurie, Linnea Norton, Angie Quintana-Jones
- 2009 recipient - Anna Tornincasa
Logan S. Carter Award
- Awarded to an earth sciences or soil science major for service to the department/university/community through leadership (serving as an officer) in the Earth, Soil, and Water Conservation Club.
- Minimum GPA 2.00
- No application necessary
- Nomination by club officers followed by selection by Earth and Soil Sciences Department faculty/staff
- 2007 recipient – David Baker
- 2008 recipient – Angie Quintana-Jones
- 2009 recipient - Nathan Lurie
Lisle R. Green Memorial Scholarship
- Awarded to an earth sciences, soil science, or animal science major for academic excellence while pursuing a minor in Rangeland Resources
- Minimum GPA 3.00
- Application consists of student filling out a FAFSA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before003a.htm) form, which is due on March 2.
- Recipient must have a financial need
- Selected by Brent Hallock
Screw-up Award
- Awarded to an earth sciences or soil science major, faculty, or staff member for performing or being involved in a notable screw-up
- No minimum GPA
- No application necessary
- Nomination by Earth and Soil Sciences Department faculty/staff and selected by Terry Smith
- 2007 recipient – Britani Harris
- 2008 recipient – John Yeo and Renee Nall
- 2009 recipient - Dr. Lynn Moody
Financial Aid
There are other types of financial aid that are not offered exclusively through the ERSS Department, including loans, grants, and scholarships. Government aid is available to most students in some form, whether it is Cal Grants or low-interest loans. The following websites can be used as resources and/ or applications for different types of aid.